Bilateral ties and the rights of around 70,000 cross-border workers are Italy's priorities in its relations with Switzerland, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday.
"Our two goals in aiding relations between our economy and finance ministries are safeguarding the interests of cross-border workers and ties between Italy and Switzerland," Di Maio said.
He made remarks at a joint press conference after talks with Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis after a visit to the Brogeda border crossing.
Di Maio's visit came a day after Switzerland reopened its border with Italy following its closure earlier this year at the height of Italy's dramatic Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic.
"Switzerland is one of the countries that helped Italy during the emergency by sending medicial supplies. And yesterday it also reopened its borders, removing all restrictions on the movement of Italians," Di Maio tweeted.
"I spoke about this today with my Swiss colleague Ignazio Cassis," the tweet added.
Di Maio's visit to the Brogeda border crossing "reaffirms and relaunches the historic ties between the two countries," the Italian foreign ministry tweeted.
